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Trial by Desire (Carhart #2)

by Courtney Milan (Goodreads Author)

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 818 ratings · 137 reviews

SHE CANNOT FORGET THE FIRE HE IGNITED ...

In the three years since her husband left her, Lady Kate Carhart has managed to forge a fulfilling life for herself. But when Ned Carhart unexpectedly returns, she finds her tranquility uprooted --- and her deepest secrets threatened. Though she has no intention of falling for Ned's charms, Kate can no longer deny the desire that st...more

Paperback, 360 pages

Published September 28th 2010 by HQN Books

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Oct 17, 2010 ♡KarLynP♡ rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, genre-historical, published-2010, steam-warm

DNF at halfway point, just not feeling the romance and not caring about the hero or heroine. It was original so I can see why many gave it 5-stars, but for me I just couldn't quit skimming as I wasn't being pulled into the story. I really wanted to like it as I so enjoyed her debut, so I will read more by this author. There was a lot of 'telling' and not as much 'showing' going on too, and while it was done well for me it was just too much narrative.

8 likes · like · see review

Aug 23, 2011 Mollie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, historical, net-galley, romance, september

I was first turned on (pun intended) to Courtney Milan thanks to Stacey's review of Proof by Seduction. Which I also ended up loving and have been eagerly anticipating this sequel for some time now!

I wasn't sure if Trial by Desire could live up to Proof by Seduction. Especially because in Poof by Seduction Ned was kind of a fuck-up. Sure, I liked him and felt sorry for him but I was wondering how Milan was going to turn Ned into hero material. But hero material he turned out to be!

Ned, determin...more I was first turned on (pun intended) to Courtney Milan thanks to Stacey's review of Proof by Seduction. Which I also ended up loving and have been eagerly anticipating this sequel for some time now!

I wasn't sure if Trial by Desire could live up to Proof by Seduction. Especially because in Poof by Seduction Ned was kind of a fuck-up. Sure, I liked him and felt sorry for him but I was wondering how Milan was going to turn Ned into hero material. But hero material he turned out to be!

Ned, determined to prove his self worth, has spent the last three years working in China to sort out his cousin's business issues overseas.In the process, he has transformed from the joking, bumbling screw-up to a man this in strict control of all his emotions.

During his absence, his wife Kate has spend her time shopping and gossiping, or so she's lead all of society to believe. When, in fact, she has been fighting off a number of would be 'suitors' vying to win the attentions of the woman abandoned by her husband. In additon,Kate has been taking on monumental tasks like hiding her best friend from her abusive husband, hardly the acts of the oblivious socialite she's accused of being. And, in a time, when women were still considered property, helping her friend could put Kate in a great deal of danger.

When Ned and Kate reunite a battle of wits and seduction ensues.However, Kate is still hurt by Ned's abandonment and Ned is determined not to let his emotional guard down, especially where his wife is concerned. She is the one person who could unravel it all.

I have to say I think the book's description is a bit misleading. It says that "Ned is determined to regain his wife’s trust by using unbridled seduction." However, Kate is the one that is pushing for both physical and emotional intimacy but Ned is afraid of losing his grip on his hard won control.

I love how Milan manages to balance a slew of intense topics: abuse, betrayal, and depression with romance without having it feel like some historical soap opera. Instead she weaves a tale of strength, redemption, forgiveness, and love. Courtney Milan is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

If you haven't already, I'd highly recommend reading Proof by Seduction before picking up Trial by Desire, but it's not necessary to read them in order. Trial by Desire is out now, what are you waiting for?! Go get it!(less)

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Aug 29, 2010 Janga rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was one of the readers of Courtney Milan’s debut novel, Proof by Seduction, who finished that book hoping that Ned Carhart, cousin to Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, would get his own story. Trial by Desire is Ned’s story, but Ned is no longer the confused boy of POS; he is now a man, tempered by the hard experiences of three years in China. He returns to his home and his marriage, determined to uncover the secrets his wife is safeguarding even as he protects his own secret.

Trial by D...more

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Jun 16, 2011 Tina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-historical, 2011-reads

Ned Carhart left his wife Kate a mere three months after their marriage to go to China at the behest of his cousin to check out what was going on with the British and the Opium situation and to find himself. At the point of their marriage Ned considers himself something of a useless fribble with no responsibilities.

Kate is stunned and bereft.

Fast forward three years later and a lot has changed. Kate rescues women who are victims of domestic abuse and helps them to leave their husbands and reloc...more Ned Carhart left his wife Kate a mere three months after their marriage to go to China at the behest of his cousin to check out what was going on with the British and the Opium situation and to find himself. At the point of their marriage Ned considers himself something of a useless fribble with no responsibilities.

Kate is stunned and bereft.

Fast forward three years later and a lot has changed. Kate rescues women who are victims of domestic abuse and helps them to leave their husbands and relocate. Ned is back, strong in body and and somewhat stronger in mind, ready to take on the responsibilities of both a husband and as the heir presumptive of a Marquisate.

The two find their way back to each other. Ned still dealing with his demons while Kate is helping her riskiest 'rescue' yet, a wealthy lady of the ton whose powerful husband is relentless about getting her back.

This is only my second Courtney Milan book after the novella Unlocked and I must say I did not enjoy this one as much as I did that one.

There are three main things happening here: First, is the plot with Kate hiding her friend Louisa from her blatantly misogynistic husband the Earl of Harcroft; Second is the repairing of the sundered marriage of Kate and Ned; And third are the personal demons that Ned fights each day, which can clearly be seen as some form of Bipolarism or at the very least chronic depression (or maybe just a really extreme case of Seasonal Affective Disorder). This being the 19th century, of course, there is no diagnosis nor drugs for it, so Ned has to deal the best he can.

My problem is that of the three elements of the book, I only truly enjoyed the first. The plot to save Louisa from her husband was really exciting to read. But unfortunately that is not enough to carry the entire book that is supposed to be a romance novel.

The second element of the book -- the reparation of the marriage -- is continually derailed by the third element of the book, Ned's state of mind. The thing is, Ned's inner (and outer) dialogue about his 'winter of bleakness' feelings that sometimes come over him consumed the book and not in a good way, imo. Kate kept trying so hard to connect with him and he obfuscated. It was maddening to read. He was so emo! I couldn't take it after awhile.

Toward the end, I found myself skimming to read the parts that involved Louisa and her dastardly husband. Kate and Ned had lost me by that point.

So not a winner for me at all.(less)

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Nov 01, 2010 Harlequin Books added it

Shelves: harlequin_hqn, 2010

Reading Log Day 1
I started reading this afternoon and I'm hooked! I would be reading still but I had to come here and share my first impressions with you. :)

Lady Kate Carhart will be a fun character to get to know. She has spunk, secrets, and a caring heart. I have a feeling that she will be giving me many smiles and bursts of laughter throughout her story. Ned, her husband, thinks he has grown up in the three years he has been gone. LOL I can tell he has a lot to learn yet about what his wife w...more

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Nov 14, 2011 .þµŋψà. [Punya Reviews...] rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: courtney-milan, frustration-alert

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 12, 2012 Dawn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-of-2010, milan-courtney, 2011-dabwaha, favorite-covers

This was a good book. But, I must admit, I was a bit disappointed. I think I just got rather impatient with all the excuses both parties kept coming up with for their fears.

This story is about Ned and Kate. In the previous book, Proof by Seduction, we learn that Ned is forced to marry Kate having put her in a compromising position. So, he marries her and promptly leaves for 3 years after only 3 months of marriage. This story begins with his return.

Kate is used to being on her own by now, but is...more

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Jun 10, 2011 Brenda Chan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, romance, abuse, marriage-in-trouble

The hero in this story, Ned Carhart, struggles with bipolar disorder. That's new. It isn't often you come across a romance hero that has to deal with and come to terms with being truly helpless and powerless (in this case brought down even more low by his depressive episodes). Of course being the hero, he strives and does rise above it, but the author managed a nice balance in showing just how desperately difficult it was for someone like him to do so without stripping him of the qualities that...more The hero in this story, Ned Carhart, struggles with bipolar disorder. That's new. It isn't often you come across a romance hero that has to deal with and come to terms with being truly helpless and powerless (in this case brought down even more low by his depressive episodes). Of course being the hero, he strives and does rise above it, but the author managed a nice balance in showing just how desperately difficult it was for someone like him to do so without stripping him of the qualities that make a romance hero (namely, the ability to build trust in the reader of his continuing competence.) I have not read the first book in which Ned appears so I also wonder if I might have even better appreciated his growth if I did.

Lady Kathleen Carhart is a delight; part idealistic, part practical and wholly likeable, she carries around a bit of baggage herself (courtesy of Ned's abandonment, among other things). She's clever and competent, but has had to hide away that part of herself in order to continue her work with helping abused wives escape their husbands. Even though she's aware of the necessity of playing the fool (though I personally don't know how anyone could mistake her for one, her intelligence rings so clearly to me in normal conversation), being the only one who knows the truth of who she really is combined with society's disparaging impressions of her has taken a toll on her self-esteem. In the end, this book is about how both of them come to reaffirm each other's strengths and beliefs in their selves.

One last point I appreciated was how real the villain was. He wasn't just token evil to the core, he was someone who had done some good, a lot of bad, and ultimately he felt like someone that I could imagine existing rather than just a caricature representation of evil. And like the characters, by the end of the story all I really wanted was to neutralize the bad he could do and took no pleasure in the idea of revenge (although justice was served - very fairly too), as he wasn't 'Othered' in my mind the way most villains are in real life as well as in fiction. All the characters were very humanized in this book. Kudos for that.
(less)

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Apr 15, 2013 Dawn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-books, historical-romance

Lady Kate and Ned are found in a compromising position and are required to marry in order to save face. However three months into the marriage Ned decides he must go on a mission to China which leaves his new wife in a scandalous position. Three years pass and both Kate and Ned are quite aware of how little they know of one another. Thus the story begins on how they find their way to happiness.

I really liked Kate she had quite a bit of spunk as well as practicality. Ned was also an interesting c...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Brenda Margriet rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really, really like Courtney Milan's work. Only her second novel, yet so wonderful.

The marriage of convenience is a bit weak (she never really does explain beyond a "they were caught together so had to get married") but the characters are fabulous. Ned is especially vibrant. He suffers from what we would now call depression, but he called "the thing" or "the dragon" and has pulled himself away from suicidal tendencies by the force of his will only. But now he is so afraid to let go of his contro...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Rachna R rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book a lot, and I think that's because the lead couple in this, on their own, would easily be a 5/5 stars for me. They're intelligent and warm and kind, and they're both really dense and really emotional and quick to jump to conclusions with each other, and they're married. They're married! Stories about people loving each other after getting married are some of my favourite things when they're done right!!

I like it when I'm reading something and I start feeling choked up because of...more I liked this book a lot, and I think that's because the lead couple in this, on their own, would easily be a 5/5 stars for me. They're intelligent and warm and kind, and they're both really dense and really emotional and quick to jump to conclusions with each other, and they're married. They're married! Stories about people loving each other after getting married are some of my favourite things when they're done right!!

I like it when I'm reading something and I start feeling choked up because of how believable an emotion is - I had a lot of those moments with Kate. I didn't have a lot those moments with Ned, but that's probably because I get a little brisk with fictional dudes who wallow and refuse to confide or ask for help from someone - but around halfway in I started paying attention, and the way he's written, the way his problem and the way he's thinking is written, is actually compelling and believable, something I can understand him feeling because of the reasons given, and that's really great. I don't see that often, that kind of understanding and rationale laid out like that.

Kate is really remarkable. I love what she does and how she does it, and how she's naturally at a disadvantage in society and how she plays that; I love how she can be a little unkind and impatient, a little emotional and with room for hurt, but also strong and commanding and brilliant. I don't see a lot of women in regency romances like this!!!

The plot itself is a little frustrating, probably because I spent so much of it waiting to see where it would go, how it could go wrong - and maybe that's in this book's favour, because it means it was done well. I do think the idea of spousal abuse is handled in a way that makes it clear just how high the stakes are, too, and how bad it is and can get, which also kept me nervous and sometimes really sick - also in this book's favour. This means, of course, that even when I was liking what the book was doing, and really liking Kate and Ned, I couldn't enjoy the book, but I did like it very much. It was really well-handled and emotionally conscious and careful, which I appreciate very much. Courtney Milan is good at that, of course.(less)

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Feb 20, 2013 Carrie Olguin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful romance with complex and compelling main characters. This story is what real love is all about.

In book one of this series, the hero (Ned) and heroine (Kate) were forced into a marriage of convenience when they were caught alone together. He asks for her hand as a point of honor even though he's racked with guilt for making the mistake that forced the situation. She agrees to the union because he makes her laugh and because she knows that any union made by a Duke's daughter will be one...more

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May 28, 2012 Regina rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story was wonderful. I was fascinated with the author's successful attempt to describe Ned's bouts of severe depression, what goes on in his brain during those times, and his efforts to master himself. Sometimes I got annoyed over his refusal to accept any help from anyone, but later I could understand why he felt the way he did. And when he finally realized that he didn't have to go at life alone, well, it was beautiful.

I definitely felt Kate's anger and pain over Ned's abandonment and ref...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is a sequel to Milan’s debut book from last year, “Proof by Seduction”. In order for you to get the full effect of this book, I highly recommend reading “Proof by Seduction” before picking up “Trial by Desire”. In it she introduces Ned as a very pivotal second character. Have you ever read the book where a secondary character almost takes over the story (like the movie “Tombstone” with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, where Val just STEALS the movie as Doc Holiday)? Well, that’s how I felt...more This book is a sequel to Milan’s debut book from last year, “Proof by Seduction”. In order for you to get the full effect of this book, I highly recommend reading “Proof by Seduction” before picking up “Trial by Desire”. In it she introduces Ned as a very pivotal second character. Have you ever read the book where a secondary character almost takes over the story (like the movie “Tombstone” with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, where Val just STEALS the movie as Doc Holiday)? Well, that’s how I felt as I was reading “Proof by Seduction”.

"Proof by Seduction" by Courtney Milan
Ned’s voice was loud and clear and I was so glad that Ms. Milan listened to it! Reading it first will help you understand Ned and where he’s coming from, as well as the reasoning behind his desertion of Kate. From the first book we all know that Ned can be a very strong Hero, and in this book he proves us right. We so wanted him to redeem himself, so when he does, it makes our hearts sing!
As for our Heroine, even though she gets abandoned right after her wedding, this chick is not giving up. In time when women were considered property, she puts herself in a lot of danger by helping not just her friend but a lot of other abused women. These two people, Ned and Kate, after reuniting, get caught in a battle of wits and seduction. Kate is still hurt by his abandonment, and is slowly learning to trust Ned. Ned, on the other hand, is determined not to let his emotions show through and keeps his guard up. It takes danger to get that wall down, and once it does, well…..you should read the book.

This is a story that gives wonderful depth to all the characters. She did an extraordinary job in balancing two very touchy subjects such as spousal abuse and depression. Not an easy thing to tackle in a romance novel. I truly enjoyed this story of love and forgiveness. I was connecting to all of the characters, even the bad guy. This new author will be with us for years to come.

Courtney Milan is one of my favorite new authors and her books are definitely KEEPERS!!

Melanie(less)

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Aug 01, 2011 Madame X rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, awful-do-not-read

This book had me rolling my eyes within the first ten pages and I just never stopped. I found it...dull and stuffy, and generally underwhelming.

So we have this story where Ned marries Kate, but he's kind of young and silly so he decides to go off to China and be a man. Unfortunately, that means leaving behind his wife of three months. She's not really charmed by his decision, especially since he doesn't tell her his plans until the very day he plans to leave. Talk about rude.

Three years later...more This book had me rolling my eyes within the first ten pages and I just never stopped. I found it...dull and stuffy, and generally underwhelming.

So we have this story where Ned marries Kate, but he's kind of young and silly so he decides to go off to China and be a man. Unfortunately, that means leaving behind his wife of three months. She's not really charmed by his decision, especially since he doesn't tell her his plans until the very day he plans to leave. Talk about rude.

Three years later Ned comes home in order to unveil his new, improved personality! And then TRIAL BY DESIRE (really, what desire? where?) turns into an issue book. Kate's new mission in life is helping battered women, and at the moment she's hiding her best friend Louisa from her abusive husband, the Earl of Harcroft. This is a great way for Kate to spend her time, but unfortunately she's convinced that nobody would approve of her good works, so she pretends to be a useless airhead. Then she resents the fact that people think she's a useless airhead. This is a vicious cycle, and up until the very last page of the book she is still shocked that her husband "will not turn away in disgust if she proved strong." Yeah, that's some deep inner conflict for you. Her husband doesn't mind that she's so perfect. What a relief.

Ned seems a little bipolar and he's worked really really hard to overcome some childhood trauma. He likes having Louisa around because he can use all these nifty self-help tricks he's developed in order to help her recover from her husband's abuse. This is really great of him but, unfortunately, his inner conflict is a lot like Kate's. He really, really needs to be perfect. Nothing less will do. And so he will not accept help from anyone! Any help of any kind is the equivalent of having someone reach over and cut all his meat up into little tiny pieces for him, and it will not be tolerated.

The saddest way that Ned expresses his need for control is by acting like a cold fish. He's really attracted to his wife but he has all these dark, animal urges and in order to keep them under control he avoids having sex with her. Kate wanders around begging him to have sex, and he refuses over and over again. Call me crazy, but on the book jacket I could have sworn that Ned was going to launch some sort of wild seduction of his wife at some point. Nope. Not at all. When they finally do get around to doing the deed, it's all very tame because Ned has figured out how to exert self-control and restraint.

Honestly, there is no real conflict between them. They're married, they both want to make the best of their marriage, they're nice people of similar backgrounds, and they're attracted to one another. Instead of actual conflict, actual dilemmas, actual challenges to overcome, we get these lame spats. It's almost like a Big Misunderstanding, except Ned and Kate are too calm and rational to really pitch fits and fight. They quarrel, or speak sharply, or can't come to the right compromise immediately.

The writing is good, but that almost makes it worse -- gilding the lily or, I don't know, serving a hot dog on fine china. I'd be reading all these pretty sentences and nicely chosen words and thinking to myself, "What a waste."(less)

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Nov 04, 2010 Cherise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, arc-or-review-copy

Three months into their marriage, Ned sails off to China leaving his new bride, Kathleen, at their home in England. In that time Kathleen has been the subject of gambling bets and much gossip. When Ned returns, three years later, she isn’t exactly happy to see him. She never wanted him to leave, but after such a long absence her feelings are all over the place where he is concerned.

Both Ned and Kate have their secrets and it keeps them from fully trusting one another and giving in fully to the c...more

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Oct 01, 2010 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

Oh, I so wanted to love, love, love this book and it just wasn't there. Ms Milan is a very graceful writer. Her prose sparkles, her characters are nicely fleshed out. But, I just didn't feel any connection to them.

And, I will be blunt, the book felt padded. There were scenes, and even set bits of dialog, that were repeated, some three or more times. Uh-oh--editor falling down on job? Word count needed? I don't know, but every time I encountered one of these I was pulled right out of the story.
Th...more

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Sep 29, 2010 Jackie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book starts in a way that belies is depth, complexity, and brilliance. It seems like you're about to get an average "reunion" romance, but in the end, you get so much more. This is not your average historical romance, but then, I know its author well enough never to expect anything "average" from her.

For me, I'll admit the book started a bit slowly. It wasn't that I was BORED, mind you, but rather that it wasn't until I got about 125 pages into the story that I had the absolutely compulsive...more

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Sep 28, 2010 Sylvia Sybil rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, romance

Three years ago, Ned and Kate were forced into a marriage of convenience. Shortly afterward, Ned left to travel halfway around the world. Now he has returned to England, intending to prove to his wife that he has grown beyond the awkward youth she married. But as far as Kate is concerned, he showed his true colors when he abandoned her, a desertion that inspired the cruelties and vicious gossip of high society. Kate herself has a secret; she's been smuggling battered wives away from their husban...more Three years ago, Ned and Kate were forced into a marriage of convenience. Shortly afterward, Ned left to travel halfway around the world. Now he has returned to England, intending to prove to his wife that he has grown beyond the awkward youth she married. But as far as Kate is concerned, he showed his true colors when he abandoned her, a desertion that inspired the cruelties and vicious gossip of high society. Kate herself has a secret; she's been smuggling battered wives away from their husbands, and her most recent rescue is the wife of Ned's best friend. Ned owes this friend a great debt of gratitude, one he will do anything to repay...including help search for the missing, presumably kidnapped wife.

I read this book start to finish in one evening. I had promised myself that at the halfway mark I would set the book down and tend to my work, but that turned into "Just one more chapter...just one more chapter..." until I found myself at the epilogue. The story felt so real I was dragged in. I honestly could not set it down.

On reflection, I think this book is even better than its prequel, Proof by Seduction. The chemistry between Ned and Kate is immediate. More than that, they fit together. Each of them has strengths to complement the other's weakness. From their first meeting I felt the sparks between them. But each of them had their own reasons for not surrendering to their desires just yet. Ned abandoned his wife when he left on his journey of self-discovery. Kate has struggled all her life to prove herself more than a useless woman.

This isn't a gushy, gooey romance where everyone is mired down in purple prose. It's a story of real people and the work they have to do to be together. Because let's face it, relationships are work. You have to compromise and trust. When you give your heart to someone, you're giving them the power to break it and that's scary.

To be together, Kate and Ned have to build a strong marriage not just from the ground up, but over the shattered remains of their previous attempt. That takes work and compromise and a leap of faith or ten. Neither of them has any guarantee that the other will not betray them, that Ned will not undo Kate's attempt to protect her friend or that Kate will not undermine Ned's efforts to take charge of his own destiny.

I was also pleased with the main conflict of the novel, Louisa and her abusive husband the Earl of Harcroft. The villain was well done; he's sincere and charming as long as he gets his own way. And when he's denied he isn't stupid enough to betray himself in public; he waits until an opportunity for revenge presents itself. Kate's description of battered women rings true. And I love Louisa's steel determination to protect her son, even though she allowed Harcroft to beat her so badly she couldn't get out of bed afterward. That's also realistic for a mother to take better care of her children than herself.

The book does come with cardboard ads between the pages, an obnoxious inconvenience, but with care and patience it is possible to rip them out with damaging the book. The fault lies with the publisher, not the author.

The author's next series opens in February 2011 with Unveiled.(less)

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Nov 28, 2012 Nakeesha rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, big-girl-shelf

This book was a like a roller coaster -and not in a good way. We all know three act structure where the plot of a book tracks up slowly in the first act, speeds up in the second and then climaxes quickly in the third. There were so many hills and valleys and slopes and ditches in this book. And it was so unfortunate because I loved these characters. Ned and Kate shined in the first Carhart book with Blakely and Jenny. I couldn't wait to read Trial by Desire to see the man Ned would grow into; to...more

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Jan 04, 2012 Malin rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is book is a sequel of sorts to Milan's debut novel "Proof by Seduction", but can be read without any prior knowledge to events in the last book.

Lady Kathleen "Kate" Carhart had barely been married to her husband for three months when he left her to go to China to prove to the world he can be responsible. In his absence, she managed as best she could, fending off unwanted attention from louts wanting to seduce her, and secretly spiriting away abused wives from their cruel husbands. She's ju...more This is book is a sequel of sorts to Milan's debut novel "Proof by Seduction", but can be read without any prior knowledge to events in the last book.

Lady Kathleen "Kate" Carhart had barely been married to her husband for three months when he left her to go to China to prove to the world he can be responsible. In his absence, she managed as best she could, fending off unwanted attention from louts wanting to seduce her, and secretly spiriting away abused wives from their cruel husbands. She's just managed to save another, when her husband returns unexpectedly. Can she trust him with her secrets? Surely she can't count on his support, when the last wife she "stole" is married to one of his oldest friends?

Ned Carhart suffers from bouts of depression, and went to China in part to figure out a way to control himself. When he returns, he believes that he can finally avoid the worst lows, but he is determined that no one learn of his terrible weakness, least of all his extremely capable wife. He's also faced with the arrival of his old friend, who wants his help in locating his wife and newborn heir. Ned needs to figure out why his wife is acting so strangely, and how he can win her trust, and possibly even her heart, all the while hiding his depression from her.

Things I liked: Kate is a great heroine. She's brave, independent, intelligent and caring. Unsatisfied with her pampered existence as a duke's daughter, she wanted to help others, and has been aiding abused women since she was sixteen. She hasn't been able to tell anyone about it, as in the male dominated society she lives in, she's be unlikely to get any support. She marries a man she barely knows, and he abandons her before she has a chance to really get to know him. Yet she's determined to make her marriage work, even when her husband does things that make little to no sense to her. She's calmly stands up to threats from her friend's abusive husband, and even takes a beating rather than reveal the location of the woman she spirited away.

Courtney Milan clearly likes her heroes to be a bit damaged. A romance hero with depression is an unusual thing. I like her trying to do something different.

What I didn't like:
Ned is pretty much a prize idiot. I get why he was so determined to gain control over himself and try to tackle his depression all by his lonesome. But it's a moronic thing to do. Kate keeps reaching out to him, making romantic and seductive gestures, and he mostly pushes her away. He keeps telling her that he wants her to trust him and lean on him, but refuses to actually tell her how he really feels or what he fears, and for much of the book I just really wanted to slap him silly. I myself have suffered depression, and I'm married to a man who struggles with depression much worse than what Ned is described as having, and this made much of the book difficult to really enjoy for me. A romance pretty much fails when you feel the heroine could do better and should pick someone else.

Despite that, Milan is a very capable writer, and the overall plot of the book and the heroine is enough that I don't regret reading it. It's no "Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever" (Julia Quinn), so it's got that going for it.(less)

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Mar 02, 2013 wordgirl rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historic

I love Courtney Milan. I finished this book yesterday, and this morning, after sleeping, which tends to eliminate any memories of what I read the night before, there are a few things that still stick out in my mind. First, that the hero has his own unique set of personal challenges to deal with, let alone the challenge of a romantic relationship. Those heros who aren't created with a cookie cutter are always memorable. Second, Kate. I just really was able to relate to her. Not so much in terms o...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Christy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-on-auto-buy-list, historical, borrowed-from-library, serial, 2013, don-t-know-what-to-think-about-this, reviewed

Meh. Not sure what I didn't like about this book. The MCs just didn't seem to fit. I never connected with either of them & they didn't seem to have much chemistry. I actually liked Ned better & felt more for him in the 1st book in the series. It's never revealed why Kate has such strong feelings/passion for him. It's hinted at, from their meeting & courtship in the 1st book, but never revealed or explained. What does Kate see in him? Even their sex scenes fall flat, no pun intended!...more

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Sep 24, 2010 Mandi Schreiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: wishlist

Favorite Quote: “I don’t like to lose control.”

Kate inched her fingers across the coverlet to his free hand. His knuckles were heated, even though he’d been sitting in the cold. “Ned,” she whispered, “let me inside your control.”

We first meet our hero Ned in Proof By Seduction, where we learn he battles many demons, and depression is a big part of his life. At the start of Trial by Desire, Ned is not done battling his demons yet. After only three short months of marriage to Kathleen Carhart, he...more Favorite Quote: “I don’t like to lose control.”

Kate inched her fingers across the coverlet to his free hand. His knuckles were heated, even though he’d been sitting in the cold. “Ned,” she whispered, “let me inside your control.”

We first meet our hero Ned in Proof By Seduction, where we learn he battles many demons, and depression is a big part of his life. At the start of Trial by Desire, Ned is not done battling his demons yet. After only three short months of marriage to Kathleen Carhart, he feels his control on his life slipping. Desperate to prove to everyone he can take on any job and any situation, he takes himself off to China to look into his family’s investments. Quite a drastic measure, but Ned’s problems just don’t skim the surface of his being. They run very deep, and he needs to remove himself from the new, intense feelings he has for his wife. It is in this three year journey that he wants and needs to prove to people that he is in control of his life.

Kate is devastated to be alone, but she also has a secret. She has started to help women who are being abused by their husbands get away. In 1840 England, women have limited rights, and Kate provides money, food, and shelter to get them to safety. She puts on airs of frivolity and pretends to be obsessed with shopping so people would never suspect she is the brains behind getting these women away from their husbands. All goes well, until she helps her dear friend Louisa and her newborn escape from the very abusive Earl of Harcroft. He is very suspicious of Kate, and what do you know – he shows up at her house to demand where Louisa is the day Ned unexpectedly returns home from China. Kate’s life gets turned upside down – she not only has a husband that has returned whom she does not trust, but a very cruel man keeping a very close eye on her.

I had no idea what to expect from Ned, after meeting him in Proof By Seduction. In that book, he came across as weak, and honestly when I found out he was to be the hero in the next book I wasn’t really excited. However, I adored Proof By Seduction and Courtney Milan’s writing style, so I couldn’t let Trial By Desire pass me by. Good thing for that too! Trial By Desire is an absolutely beautiful book and although we do get a Ned who has been hardened after three years abroad, he still struggles, and we get a very intimate look into his psyche. He is so scared – so frightened that he will lose just a bit of control and slip back into the darkness. He feels this intense need to prove to everyone he is capable of handling everything. When he returns home and truly gets to know his wife, and learns her secrets – he realizes she is so capable and smart. It makes him jealous in a sense and he instantly recognizes that fear again. He also has the desire to take his wife in an unseemly fashion and it scares him. A man in control should have no such thoughts. All of this makes him want to prove even more to her that he is a capable being. When all she wants is to feel safe and secure and just be with him. He is a unique hero – not really alpha, but definitely not a beta. He is tough, and stands up for his wife, but an air of fragility runs through him. In the end, he wants to be a better man for his wife, and that endears him to me in the best possible way.

Kate is a very solid mate for him, and she learns early on of his weaknesses, but makes the decision to be quietly strong for him. I think she gets overshadowed by his character – Ned has so much going on inside and leaves Kate a little in the dust. But I still liked her mature attitude and I loved the way she handles herself with Ned and Harcroft.

The romance in this one is so sensual. It takes about half the book to get there, but oh my does Courtney Milan give us some very nice scenes. I actually enjoyed the bedroom scenes in this one more than her first book. I think part of it is that she gives us some really sexy situations, but more than that, we see Ned lose a bit of that control in each scene, and it just makes them very intimate.

I thought the plot and evil doings of Harcroft present themselves very well too. The mystery becomes much more complicated than what I originally thought would happen.

I recommend you read Proof By Seduction first so you can meet Ned and get his full journey, however, this can be read as a stand alone. Luckily, we only have to wait until January to get another book from Courtney Milan, who is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

Rating: 4.5/5(less)

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Oct 19, 2010 chanceofbooks rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-read

I just can't recommend this rising star enough. Milan has such a gift for POV and banter that she's an excellent choice for those who don't typically read Regency/historical. What I love about both this book and Proof by Seduction (which is helpful to read first as Ned and Kate first appear in that book) is that there is Milan deftly avoids "magic wand syndrome" as she deals with complex characters and issues. Ned deals with serious depression which is almost unheard of for heroes in the entire...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Lover of Romance rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, regency

I have to say I am truly enjoying this author...way too much. There is just something about her books that keeps you reading. When I first read the blurb for this story, I wasn't too overly excited to read it. However I had a feeling I would enjoy it, and did I ever. I am so glad I listen to that sixth sense at times. There were so many aspects of the story that I just fell in love with. The first one would be the plot....it was such a engaging plot that was full of excitement and enough mystery...more

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Feb 15, 2012 Anna (Bobs Her Hair) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

Grade: C - or weak 3 stars

Smoothly written story, a confident heroine who rescues abused women and a hero that battles depression should have been an angsty historical romance so why was it a struggle to maintain interest in this book? It felt tedious.

The Story
After three years abroad, Ned Carhart returns to England and his wife. He had left to conquer his inner demons and now has control over the melancholia that nearly destroyed him. The fear still lingers that he may sink into the pit of desp...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Doreen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012

I loved this book! The action covers only a few days, and until near the end not a lot happens - though there is an exciting flurry of action then. But the true worth of it is in the gradual unpeeling of the layers of character.

It's obvious from the start that the hero is subject to some sort of problem with depression, or possibly bipolar disease. He has struggled against it over time and become strong, at great cost to himself and his wife. She in turn has had to become stronger and more self-...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Book Review Diva rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicalromance

Courtney Milan- “Trial By Desire”

Ned Carhart has struggled with his inner demons his whole life. Ned Carhart decides after just marrying his beautiful wife, Lady Kathleen, to run off to China to attend to some family matters. What Ned is really doing, is running from his inner demons. While in China, he learns to control his inner demons, and also realizes that he just left his new wife back in England. Ned now knows that if he wants his wife, he must go home and try and save what he left behin...more Courtney Milan- “Trial By Desire”

Ned Carhart has struggled with his inner demons his whole life. Ned Carhart decides after just marrying his beautiful wife, Lady Kathleen, to run off to China to attend to some family matters. What Ned is really doing, is running from his inner demons. While in China, he learns to control his inner demons, and also realizes that he just left his new wife back in England. Ned now knows that if he wants his wife, he must go home and try and save what he left behind. What Ned finds upon his arrival back from China is a strong, confident, and beautiful women, who is not afraid to ask for help. She's a real fighter and never lets the trivial things bring her down. Well, maybe nothing, except for the fact that her husband left her for three years and never told her why. Will Ned be the man that his wife wants? Will he be able to keep his dark demons under control, while around his wife? Will Ned lose control of his inner demons in front of his wife, and will she take Ned back, or send him packing for good?

Lady Kathleen Carhart has been without a husband for three years. She has answered to no one but herself and has managed just fine on her own. While on the way home from visiting her friend, that she managed to help escape from her abusive husband, she is almost trampled by a scared horse. Thank havens for a tall dark and handsome stranger on a horseback who just happened to be passing by at the right time. Kate learns that the stranger who just saved her life, is her husband who now has a burly beard. Kate has not seen this man in three years after he walked out of her life with no warning, or answer to why he left her. She must decide if she wants him in her life again, or wants him out of her life for good. Kate also must keep her feelings and her darkest secrets from him. Kate's secret is that she has hidden is her best friend from her abusive husband, who just happens to be Ned's best friend. Will Kate want her marriage to work? Does she still love Ned, and will Ned learn of her deepest secret?

“Trial By Desire” delivers a thrilling, exciting and passionate tale of dark secrets and sexual tension that simply explodes across the pages of “Trial By Desire.” You'd be well advised to check out Courtney Milan's book “Trial by Desire.” I really enjoyed it!

4 Hearts Out Of 5
Reviewed by Lady Victoria-HistoricalRomanceBooks.ca<

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Visit my Website at http://www.historicalromancebooks.ca (less)

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Mar 15, 2012 Heather added it

maybe its because this is book two in the series and i haven't read book one,but i just cant keep up with this story.i don't understand most of what the characters are talking about.
the book immediately throws you into the middle of the story. they're already married in the prologue and i feel like i've missed everything. i definitely feel that way in the first chapter.
&they have problems, many many problems that the author never comes out and explains.
ive never encountered a book like thi...more

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About Courtney Milan

Courtney Milan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, a marginally-trained dog, and an attack cat. Courtney wishes she could say she has lived in numerous fabulous places. But aside from her husband, there is a distinct lack of fabulousness in her life. Instead, she is happy when standards in the Milan household hover above mediocrity. Her husband attempts not to kill people for a living...more

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The Governess Affair (Brothers Sinister, #0.5)

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Quotes from Trial by Desire

“Our marriage lasted a few months. Once you left, what remained faded faster than the ink on the license. And what's left..well, it could blow away in one tiny puff of wind."
"Well,then." he spoke with an air of certainty. "I'll try not to exhale."
"Don't bother. I stopped holding my breath years before.” — 4 people liked it

“It was a good thing she was wearing her mother's pearls. With those clasping her neck, she felt as if she could conquer anything. Harcroft would mock her, no doubt, if he knew her thoughts. He'd dismiss her attire as frills and furbelows-a women's only armor. Idiocy on his part.
There were a great many problems that could be solved with a visit to the mantua-maker. and fine gowns or no, this meeting promised to be a war, however politely and subtly it was joined.” — 2 people liked it

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Trial by Desire (Carhart #2)

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